SURVEY OF COMMERCIAL BOTTLED DRINKING WATER IN EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University

2 Central Lab., Ministry of Health & Population, Cairo. Egypt

3 Central Lab., Ministry of Health & Population

Abstract

Inorganic constituents were analyzed in six major brands of commercial bottled water and in six brands of the imported mineral drinking water used by many Egyptians and tourists visiting Egypt. The inorganic analysis included determination of both anion and cation species lead and cadmium. For the purpose of comparison, selected samples of tap water from Cairo were also analyzed. Ion Chromatography (IC) was used for the analysis of anions and cation. Ion selective electrode (ISE) was used for measuring physical constants. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the analysis of heavy metals. All water samples (tap water from Cairo and bottled drinking water from around Cairo) were within the acceptable levels of the world health organization (WHO) guidelines and were lower than maximum contaminated level (MCL) established by the united states Environment Protection Agency (USEPA). One of the imported mineral drinking water brand was in high level than MCL (Sulphate in San Peligreno brand was 588 mg/L). Mineral water is exempt from allowed level. The exemption are aesthetically based allowable levels and do not relate to a health concern tap water from Cairo was of a higher quality than any of the bottled water with regard to the analyzed chemical constituents. Differences in concentrations of anions and cations were found, depending on the source of the water. The concentrations of fluoride, calcium, magnesium, sulphate and TDS in some imported mineral drinking water were greater than those of Egyptian bottled drinking water.    

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Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science
Volume 16, Issue 2-A
December 2005
Pages 25-43

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